Who Makes THE BEST insert bits?

[eschoendorff]

This is a Snap On SDM222IRB #2 phillips bit that I was using in a Snap On ratcheting screwdriver today. I was trying to loosen a phillips screw that was holding a drill chuck onto a shaft. To my suprise, the bit completely sheared! I weigh all of 155 lbs soaking wet, so I cannot attribute this to my brute strength. I bought these bits at $2.10 each hoping that they would last longer and grab better than the Taiwanese Irwin bits that I had been using. Anyone know of anything better? I am not afraid to pay for some quality, but I would like something that I can use with a drill/driver too.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I work in the airline industry, we use APEX brand bits, both the "sheetrock" type tip like you show in the pic, and the full sized tip. While 99% of the ones I've broken have been in an 3/8 impact wrench removing screws on inspection panels, I have had a few break iin my Snap-On ratching screwdriver too, They are very hard, brittle, steel and are not a lifetime tool, but something you expect to wear out or break ocassionally.

Charles

 

[eschoendorff]

I work in the airline industry, we use APEX brand bits, both the "sheetrock" type tip like you show in the pic, and the full sized tip. While 99% of the ones I've broken have been in an 3/8 impact wrench removing screws on inspection panels, I have had a few break iin my Snap-On ratching screwdriver too, They are very hard, brittle, steel and are not a lifetime tool, but something you expect to wear out or break ocassionally.

Charles

I can understand that these are consumables, but this was a new bit being used for the first time.

Doesn't Apex make bits for Snap On?

Maybe this was a fluke? I have used this same model # bit in a drill/driver without any shearing. I gues until someone makes a compelling case for another brand I'll stick with these...

 

[kartracer55]

I can understand that these are consumables, but this was a new bit being used for the first time.

Doesn't Apex make bits for Snap On?

Maybe this was a fluke? I have used this same model # bit in a drill/driver without any shearing. I gues until someone makes a compelling case for another brand I'll stick with these...

I broke 3 yes THREE snap on number 2 philps bit sockets on an impact driver today trying to remove the screws that hold the rotors on during assembly on an Acura RSX!!! They were in there so good it took a pin punch to remove the screws because the bits kept shearing off (that and the fact that there were no more bits left to break! haha)

I thought it was pretty wierd that you posted this considering what had happened today, seeing as how I was going to make this post myself lol. Not a good day for tools. I know a guy also cracked a 15mm husky socket right down the side, and I think I may have stripped a tooth in a ratchet today, either that or it just skipped some teeth.

Jim

 

[TNToy]

I haven't found anything tougher than Snappy's.

Those of you who're breaking them on impact drivers: Are you just using a 1/4" hex bit stuck into a socket on the end of the driver... or are you using a Snap-On #2 phillips socket. You know, the kind where the bit is secured to the socket wit ha roll-pin like their torx sockets?

I've found a noticeable difference in quality between the two. The socket-bits are tougher than the regular 1/4" hex like the first picture on this page.

 

[kartracer55]

Bit sockets... like a traditional torx or hex socket. Pressed in I believe

 

[l_bilyk]

I broke 3 yes THREE snap on number 2 philps bit sockets on an impact driver today trying to remove the screws that hold the rotors on during assembly on an Acura RSX!!! They were in there so good it took a pin punch to remove the screws because the bits kept shearing off (that and the fact that there were no more bits left to break! haha)

I thought it was pretty wierd that you posted this considering what had happened today, seeing as how I was going to make this post myself lol. Not a good day for tools. I know a guy also cracked a 15mm husky socket right down the side, and I think I may have stripped a tooth in a ratchet today, either that or it just skipped some teeth.

Jim

Hahaha it seems every week I sell a set of honda rotors only to have them come back later that day because the guy gave up trying to take out those screws

 

[kartracer55]

Hahaha it seems every week I sell a set of honda rotors only to have them come back later that day because the guy gave up trying to take out those screws

Thats because they ****! haha.

The worst are the pressed on ones from like early 90's. Talk about a Pain in the ***

 

[TNToy]

You guys aren't skipping step two, are you?

1. Pull off tire & wheel.
2. Reinstall and torque 2 or 3 lugnuts to remove clamping force from phillips screw
3. Back out phillips screw with an impact driver.

I've only had one set strip out since I started doing that. They were on my wife's car. I just tack welded a nut to the heads of both screws. The combination of the heat and the leverage of a box wrech pops them right out.

Someone claimed in another thread that the Snap-On impact driver works much better than a Husky or Craftsman unit. I can't verify this, as the Snap-On is the only one I've ever used.

 

[kartracer55]

TNT, yes, I am. However I have never heard of this before and I have never had a problem getting these screws out. Ill definetly have to try that though.

Jim

 

[Jared]

I bought a brand new snap-on ratcheting screw driver and when I used the torx bit to remove the screws that hold the radio in a ford pick-up it just sheared off the end of the bit even thought it was warentied its still disapointing to buy good quality tools and have them break the first time you use them.

Jared

 

[eschoendorff]

I bought a brand new snap-on ratcheting screw driver and when I used the torx bit to remove the screws that hold the radio in a ford pick-up it just sheared off the end of the bit even thought it was warentied its still disapointing to buy good quality tools and have them break the first time you use them.

Jared

Yes! Precisely! I'm disappointed, but I am also not so naive to think that even the mighty Snap On won't have things that break. That's fine... I just wondered if I was barking up the wrong tree as far as insert bits go...

 

[Junkman]

Problem is that some of these fasteners were installed with mechanical devices that put too much torque on them, and when you attempt to remove them with ordinary hand tools, they break before the fastener moves. I just give the tool a rap with the dead blow hammer first, and I have yet to break a tip. The shock of the hammer loosens the fastener in the hole, so it will now turn. If you think about how new fasteners are installed at the factory, they are run in with large mechanical devices that put a lot of power behind them. You have to overcome that mechanical fastening force to remove them. Just remember, never force it, get a bigger hammer.

 

[eschoendorff]

Problem is that some of these fasteners were installed with mechanical devices that put too much torque on them, and when you attempt to remove them with ordinary hand tools, they break before the fastener moves. I just give the tool a rap with the dead blow hammer first, and I have yet to break a tip. The shock of the hammer loosens the fastener in the hole, so it will now turn. If you think about how new fasteners are installed at the factory, they are run in with large mechanical devices that put a lot of power behind them. You have to overcome that mechanical fastening force to remove them. Just remember, never force it, get a bigger hammer.

Yeah, that's really what I should have done. Oh well, there's next time...

 

[kartracer55]

Yes! Precisely! I'm disappointed, but I am also not so naive to think that even the mighty Snap On won't have things that break. That's fine... I just wondered if I was barking up the wrong tree as far as insert bits go...

True. Tommorow is a big warranty day for the snap on guy. 3 bits a 3/8 socket that apparantly cracked last time I used it, and what ever other broken tools that are laying around the shop (S-0 guy was on vacation last week) Here is the funny part (TNToy's gunna love this)... I cracked it with a craftsman raised panel flex head

Granted, it was one of my old orphaned sockets. Moral of the story, I suppose, is Sh*t happens


Jim

 

[TNToy]

Just remember: Even thought it can break a snap-on socket, a Craftsman raised-panel ratchet is still a piece of ****.

 

[Sidetracker]

I'll second the Apex bits. I can't remember ever snapping one off. They will wear out, but it takes quite a while.

 

[Danglerb]

I've heard many comments that SnapOn makes their bits hard for durability in a wear situation, but that leaves them more brittle.

Wera and Wiha make their bits I think from S2 tool steel and coat them with TiN for durability.

I bought a few different brands to try and see which works best for me.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Wiha has some impressive looking ones in their catalog.

 

[Elky]

i always use an impact driver for removing brake rotor screws
one of these:

is that the type of impact driver you are referring to?

 

[old salvage]

I've had good luck with Milwaukee.
The bunch I bought was 5-6 yrs ago and since then they are now imported.
Who knows though, maybe they still arent junk.

 

[eschoendorff]

Check out the Hilti ones available at HD. They're made in Germany... and are NICE!